This passage includes a letter written by Gosse, on September 1, 1838. He discusses slavery in Alabama ("a huge deadly serpent"), describing cruel punishments, poor living conditions, and impediments to emancipation. In his view, the institution...

From Claiborne's preface to the work: "As originally written, the narrative was almost literally in his [Dale's] own words. In the present memoir I have preserved his language in many parts, and faithfully expressed his opinions." The first passage...

In this letter Holmes describes daily life and reports family news. In one notable passage, he writes about the increased number of marriages in the community, writing "ther has been more marrigds in Monroe than you ever heard of in the same length...

During the Civil War, Francis Danielly was a member of the 14th Alabama Infantry, Company K. In this letter Elizabeth describes life on the farm, writes that their children had enjoyed the candy that he sent, and lists the names of local men that...

During the Civil War, Danielly was a member of the 14th Alabama Infantry, Company K; he was killed during the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863. This letter, mailed after his death, was returned to Elizabeth by William A. Roberts on May 20....

During the Civil War, Pearson was a member of the 37th Alabama Volunteer Infantry. In this letter describes camp life, noting that he is in good health and eating well ("Our diet is Bacon and corn bread which is good enuff for Soldiers"). In...

In the letter Semple asks Pollard to grant passage to two men who plan to transport the bodies of fallen soldiers from the battlefield near Georgia to Alabama. According to several notes on the back, the men were given clearance, but they decided...

The passage includes a letter from the Alliance to the editors of the Montgomery Advertiser, criticizing the newspaper for its apparent support of the "jute trust": "As an organization, the Alliance has entered the contest with the Jute Bagging...

In this passage Van Vorst describes living and working conditions for employees of a textile mill in Anniston, Alabama. She gives specific details about the housing and operation of the factory, and she includes several interviews with children who...

In the passage Du Bois critiques Booker T. Washington's methods for the education and assimilation of African Americans in society: "...it has been claimed that the Negro can survive only through submission. Mr. Washington distinctly asks that...

The first passage reviews the basic terms of the federal child labor law (which had recently been declared unconstitutional) and explains the scope of this project: "Practically no attention was given in this study to the establishments to which...

During World War I Stout was a pilot, eventually serving as a lieutenant in the 27th Aero Squadron, First Pursuit Group. In this letter he discusses several topics, including the efficiency of the military's logistical planning; his daily routine...

During World War I Stout was a pilot, eventually serving as a lieutenant in the 27th Aero Squadron, First Pursuit Group. In this letter Stout discusses President Wilson's "masterful" rejection of a German armistice proposal: "Now I think the fewer...

Jeffries was president of the Alabama Woman's Christian Temperance Union. In the letter she mentions that the W.C.T.U. has been an opponent of convict leasing since Julia Tutwiler "brought the abuses of the system to the attention of our...

In the letter Fort states that members of the committee "are not sentimentalist," nor are they "influenced by union labor." Rather, their sole interest is the "welfare of our State" and the belief that "convicts should be treated sensibly and...

In the letter Governor Miller announces a "monster parade" to be held on October 19 to support the passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act. To encourage state employees to participate in the parade, he has declared a half holiday on that...

This passage includes an excerpt of a travel narrative by James S. Buckingham, a British author. In it Buckingham describes a visit through east central Alabama, giving details about the landscape, accommodations, and traveling conditions along the...

The first passage includes an excerpt from an address by Governor William Wyatt Bibb to the Alabama legislature in November 1818, in which he explains why Cahaba was chosen as the site for the state capital. The second passage includes an excerpt...

The passage includes excerpts from federal legislation dealing with the Freedmen's Bureau. "Rules and Regulations for Assistant Commissioners" stresses that "the officer should never forget that no substitute for slavery, like apprenticeship...